Jillian Theil has been the Training and Field Support Coordinator for Pro Bono Net since 2011. She manages the LSNTAP/PBN Community Training series.
In honor of National Celebrate Pro Bono Week, Pro Bono Net and LSNTAP held a special webinar on “Virtual and Remote Pro Bono Legal Services Models.” The training, moderated by Liz Keith of Pro Bono Net, highlighted examples of how virtual and remote legal services models are enabling new forms of pro bono participation and expanding the reach of servicers to underserved communities. It covered new and emerging projects, resources and considerations for replication, as well as the staffing, technology and partnerships involved.
Liz Keith kicked off the call by exploring the benefits of virtual and remote pro bono legal services models legal aid programs, pro bono lawyers, and clients. Debra Jennings of Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc then discussed her organization’s LiveHelp project to connect those persons with legal assistance to address their legal needs. She covered the goals, project nuts and bolts and also outcomes. Liz then talked about a LiveHelp/LiveChat initiative to assess and pilot a new live chat platform for LiveHelp initiatives using the LivePerson Pro software.
Claudia Johnson of Pro Bono Net then discussed LHI-Connect, a new way to share and create documents between lawyers and clients remotely and asynchronously. The project is a new capacity in LawHelp Interactive that allows lawyers to co-produce documents with their clients from a secure site.
Finally, Phong Wong of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles presented on the LAFLA/library video conferencing project, which serves to enhance client accessibility and work productivity by bridging geographic barriers between LAFLA’s offices, community libraries and other partners. She also talked about the rollout of the Pro Bono Training Institute, which leverages technology to connect pro bono attorneys to pro bono opportunities through interactive trainings.
The training ended with great discussion and question, so be sure to view the resources available at LSNTAP.org.